OTC hearing aids have advanced considerably since their inception in 2022, but their offerings still fall substantially short of the knowledge, care, and quality you’ll receive at a good hearing clinic. The bottom line: at $1,000 per set, Zepp Clarity Pixie might be a good deal if you’re looking for an almost-invisible OTC hearing aid solution; this probably isn’t the case if they ever go to their full retail of $2,000. You will have to decide if Zepp Pixie’s unique offering is worth it.
What Other Products Might I Consider as Alternatives?
A few products on the market offer a nearly invisible fit and feature set similar to Zepp Clarity Pixie.
Eargo is a popular brand for invisible OTC hearing aids with its flagship Eargo 8 ($2,699) and its pared-down economy version, Eargo SE ($1,599). HearAdvisor testing found Zepp Pixie to offer better audio performance considering a common age-related hearing loss. Zepp Pixie also uses Bluetooth Low Energy for app connectivity which provides a more reliable and efficient wireless communication. In contrast, Eargo 8 employs its patented Eargo Ultra Sonic (EUS) protocol, which relies on high-frequency sound chirps from your phone to send commands. Based on my experience, this method is less dependable than Bluetooth.
Although at this update we just finished reviewing them in the lab, both the Cearvol Wave and Elehear Delight—which are billed as in-the-ear devices but are not as small as the Pixie—may be worthwhile looking into.
While all these OTC options are compact and nearly invisible, they have limitations in wireless features and customization. If you have a higher budget, you might find greater value by visiting a traditional hearing clinic. Prescription devices, like Signia Silk IX, are discrete and available for under $3,000. They have dependable wireless control via the Signia app, are rechargeable, and provide much better customization than most OTC options.
For those open to other styles, such as receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids, you can expect other benefits such as audio streaming. It’s worth comparing prices across clinics to find the best overall value, and do not forget to ensure whatever clinic you choose follows best practices and performs routine probe-tube measurements. Older, non-premium-tier devices can offer excellent value, and Costco often provides competitive pricing due to their bulk purchasing power.